Chapter 04
We were Trying to Protect YouWe were Trying to Protect You
Wi Yongmyung, Elder of the Yu Family in Shanxi
For the past 30 years, he has been known as the most loyal servant of the Yu family in Shanxi.
‘At least, that’s what people believe.’
Swoosh-!
As Wi Yongmyung stepped out of the family head’s quarters, a dark figure approached him urgently.
“Branch Leader, about tonight’s mission…”
“Shut up. I’m still thinking.”
In reality, Wi Yongmyung was the branch leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult in Shanxi.
For 30 years, he had infiltrated the Yu family, aiming to overthrow it.
However, the presence of the Yu family head, one of the top ten martial artists in the world, had always thwarted his plans. The family head’s absence, leading a mission with many warriors, created the perfect opportunity to strike.
Tonight, the plan was to seize control of the Yu family by turning 70% of their warriors and eliminating Yu Jinmyung, the young master, and his younger sister, Yu Somyeong.
‘But where is that wretched Yu Somyeong?’
Yu Somyeong was supposed to return today, but she hadn’t arrived without any word.
If they proceeded with the plan, and she survived, it would be all for nothing. Yet, postponing the operation wasn’t feasible either.
Wi Yongmyung had to decide: proceed or abort.
“…Proceed as planned.”
He chose to move forward.
“If we succeed, we’ll enter the Ten Thousand Great Mountains and serve alongside him.”
“Him… Yes, I will prepare immediately. For the glory of the cult…”
They dared not speak his name, their voices filled with reverence.
“Unbeatable Cult, Heavenly Demon.”
“Unbeatable Cult, Heavenly Demon.”
Reciting their mantra, they returned to their positions.
The usually serene Yu family would face a long, tumultuous night.
***
Yu Jinmyung, the Young Master of the Yu Family in Shanxi
At 23 years old, he was already renowned for his martial arts skills, inherited from his father. With a kind heart and sharp mind, he managed the family well, despite the challenges.
‘Just a few more days, and Father will return.’
Comforting himself with that thought, he rubbed his heavy eyelids.
Then—
“Young Master.”
“Come in.”
A voice called out to him late at night. Upon permission, Elder Wi entered.
“Ah, Elder Wi.”
“I have organized a search party to find Miss Somyeong.”
“…I see.”
“Would you like to see them?”
“Yes.”
Rising from his seat, Yu Jinmyung followed Wi Yongmyung outside. The elder explained as they walked.
“Many of our warriors are on missions, so I could only gather the True Martial Pavilion warriors. Still, they are skilled in lightness skill, and there are 50 of them…”
“…True Martial Pavilion?”
Yu Jinmyung stopped, puzzled.
The True Martial Pavilion warriors were the family’s elite guards, meant to protect the main residence.
“Why mobilize the True Martial Pavilion for this…?”
Despite his confusion, Wi Yongmyung smiled warmly.
“I was worried since Miss Somyeong hasn’t returned. I might have overprepared.”
“I see…”
Despite feeling uneasy, Yu Jinmyung couldn’t refuse the elder’s goodwill.
“Is everyone gathered?”
“Yes, sir!”
Outside the main residence, the warriors of the True Martial Pavilion stood in formation.
“Would you like to say a few words, Young Master?”
Nodding, Yu Jinmyung addressed the warriors.
“Thank you for your efforts. Please do your best to find Somyeong.”
“Yes, sir!”
Though it seemed excessive, the sight of the elite warriors reassured him that his sister would be found soon. As he walked past the warriors, something caught his eye.
A young warrior, presumably from the True Martial Pavilion, was trembling excessively, as if facing a battle.
‘Strange…’
This was a search mission, not a battle, so he couldn’t understand the fear.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, sir?”
He stopped and questioned the young warrior. The atmosphere grew tense.
“…Why are you trembling?”
“N-nothing, sir.”
“Aren’t you from the True Martial Pavilion? Why…”
Despite Yu Jinmyung’s question, the young warrior scratched his wrist frantically, as if unable to bear the itch. The surrounding warriors murmured in disapproval.
Seeing this, Wi Yongmyung tried to pull the warrior aside.
“Young Master, he seems unprepared. I’ll send him to rest…”
“Wait…”
Yu Jinmyung noticed the young warrior’s wrist. The redness resembled a burn mark, a sign of demonic energy.
“…Demonic energy.”
It was evidence that the young warrior belonged to the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Shing!
Before Yu Jinmyung could react, Wi Yongmyung drew his sword.
“Kill all these righteous scum—!!”
“Waaaah!”
Some were shocked, others drew their swords.
“Elder Wi—! What is this…?!”
Yu Jinmyung, most of all, was in disbelief. The trusted elder attacking first was a huge betrayal.
“Young Master, you must die.”
Clang!
“When did you… betray us?”
“I never did. I’ve always been a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
The Heavenly Demon Cult.
So, Elder Wi was a cultist all along. Despite decades of pretending to be family, he betrayed them the moment the head was away….
Seething with betrayal, Yu Jinmyung raised his sword to parry Wi Yongmyung’s attack. Then he shouted to the unaffected warriors.
“Destroy the demonic intruders who dare set foot in the Yu family—!”
“Waaaah—!!”
The usually serene Yu family erupted into sudden, chaotic conflict.
At that very moment….
“…Hey, why’s it suddenly so noisy over there?”
“…No idea.”
Outside the Yu family’s walls, my subordinates and I sensed something was amiss.
***
An Hour Earlier
Thunk.
“I’m back, Miss.”
“Eek…!!”
Entering with a sword, I saw Yu Somyeong bound and gagged, retreating in fear. Her reactions were always so dramatic.
“Miss, we’ve decided what to do with you.”
“Mmm…”
I raised the sword high for her to see….
“Uhhh-!!”
Thunk!
“Uhh…?”
I stabbed the sword into the ground in front of her and removed her gag. Believing she was about to die, a tear fell from Yu Somyeong’s eye as she spoke.
“You… what…”
“Miss, do you know what we green forest bandits do?”
“W-what?”
Though confused, she quickly answered.
“Um… bandits who rob people passing through the mountains?”
“Wrong.”
“Thugs who bully and capture weak people?”
“…Wrong.”
“Just bad guys, despicable scum who deserve to rot in hell…”
“Wrong, wrong, wrong!”
“Mmm…”
I knocked on her forehead with each wrong answer. Then I kindly explained.
“Our bandit group in Mount Hyungak maintains order and protects travelers in these mountains.”
“What…?”
Yu Somyeong looked at me like I was spouting nonsense. Ignoring her expression, I continued.
“I brought you here for ‘protection’. To keep you safe from potential dangers while traveling through Mount Hyungak, I brought you to our hideout…”
“…”
“Protection…, um….”
Even I felt a bit guilty seeing her condition.
Her neck and throat bore signs of heavy blows, her waist had a sword cut, her clothes were forcibly changed, her belongings were taken, she was soaking wet, and her hands and feet were bound….
“Yes, anyway, you’ve been safely protected until now.”
“…”
Looking at her expression, I was sure. If she weren’t tied up, she’d have grabbed her sword and stabbed me immediately.